UNOBSTRUSIVE CANOPY 2, The Lleida prototype

General information

Lleida

Spain

1987

The Lleida City Council

Function of building

Degree of enclosure

Climatic zone

Mediterranean - mild winters, dry hot summers

Type of application of the membrane

Primary function of the tensile structure

Sun protection

Description

Furniture and equipment are frequently difficult to integrate into the urban or natural landscape. For monumental sites, historic places, landmarks and interesting environments, the &quot;Lleida&quot; prototype was designed in order not to interfere visually. It is a 6m x 4m self-supported canopy formed by two frames united by T shaped cross beams. The beams hold a longitudinal CHS arch that pushes down the roof made of a membrane tied up to the frames by means of elastic rope. The two surfaces included between the frames and deformed by the arch are anticlastic, resistant to the wind and they drain properly. There are no inclined planes, slopes nor vertical faces that obstruct the vision, because the surfaces are perceived as a smoothly deformed horizontal plane. In this way, the canopy does not consolidate a volume as it used to happen to the pitched roofs of pavilions. The steel sections are lined with rounded pieces of wood to increase the visual and tactile receptiveness, thereby raising the temperature of the metal and softening the aggressiveness of edges and corners, procuring to the user the same gentleness that is provided to the environment.The &quot;Lleida&quot; prototype has been used in a variety of different locations and purposes.